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What happened in guantanamo bay was terrible but it was not government sanctioned. Evil people did it but the government is blamed! How is that fair?

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false pretext (WMD) - Bush invaded even though there were none ...

It was ONE of the pretexts not the only pretext. Whether there is WMDs or not, we can both agree that Saddam wanted them and would definately eventually get them.

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the resulting instability - its probably the least safe place on earth now, before it was just really really really really corrupt ...
i'm pretty sure there are more ...

The only reason there was stability under saddam is because he was so cruel and killed so many that everyone lived in fear of doing what they are doing now. America gave them freedom and they are abusing that freedom. But thankfully many Iraqis are starting to understand how precious freedom is. Give it time. Good things come to those who are patient. Iraq will find its way. But even if all that we have done goes to waste, we have built so many hospitals and schools, etc. and the standard of living in Iraq is at an all time high. Surely that is worth fighting for..._________________You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior...but everyday I hear people crying for one. -Superman
To liberate the Muslim from his religion is the best service that one can render him. -Earnest Renan

Web posted at: 7:06 p.m. EST (0006 GMT)
AMANPOUR: Mr. President, a month ago you announced that you had a historic message to deliver to the people of America. I understand that message will take the form of a short address and then we'll discuss the issues.

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. At the outset, I would like to congratulate all free and noble women and men especially the followers of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), on the occasion of the New Year. I take as a good omen the concurrence of the Christian New Year with the Islamic month of Ramadan, the month of edification and self-restraint that has been the goal of all divine prophets.

We are at the close of the 20th century, leaving behind a century full of inequality, violence, and conflict. We pray to the Almighty to enable us to begin a new century of humanity, understanding, and durable peace, so that all humanity would enjoy the blessings of life. Once again I would like to present my felicitations to all the followers of Jesus Christ, to all human beings, and particularly to the American people.

I have said earlier that I respect the great American people. In this short span of time, I wish to briefly present my analysis of the American civilization so that my remarks would not be taken as political nicety or a mere play on words.

The American civilization is worthy of respect. When we appreciate the roots of this civilization, its significance becomes even more apparent. As you know, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, there is a rock which is respected and revered by all Americans. The secret of American civilization lies in this rock. In early 17th century, those 125 men, women, and children who left England in search of a virgin land to establish a superior civilization finally landed on this rock. The reason why the American people respect this rock is that it was the place where the Puritan pilgrims first landed. From then on, the Americans celebrate the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day, thanking God for this success bestowed upon them.

The American civilization is founded upon the vision, thinking, and manners of the Puritans. Certainly, others such as adventurers, those searching for gold, and even sea pirates, also arrived in the U.S. But the American nation has never celebrated their arrival and never considered it to be the beginning of their civilization. The Puritans constituted a religious sect whose vision and characteristics, in addition to worshipping God, was in harmony with republicanism, democracy, and freedom. They found the European climate too restrictive for the implementation of their ideas and thoughts.

Unfortunately, in the 16th, 17th, and even 18th centuries, there was a serious clash between religion and liberty. In my opinion, one of the biggest tragedies in human history is this confrontation between religion and liberty which is to the detriment of religion, liberty, and the human beings who deserve to have both. The Puritans desired a system which combined the worship of God and human dignity and freedom.

This civilization was founded in New England and gradually spread to the entire America and it even clashed with certain evil trends which has caused slavery in certain states and ultimately succeeded in abolishing slavery. There were numerous martyrs who gave their lives for this cause, the most famous of which was Abraham Lincoln, the strong and fair-minded American president.

This civilization is best described by the renowned French sociologist Alexi de Toqueville who spent some two years in the U.S. in the 19th century and wrote the valuable book entitled Democracy in America, which I am sure most Americans have read. This book reflects the virtuous and human side of this civilization. In his view, the significance of this civilization is in the fact that liberty found religion as a cradle for its growth, and religion found protection of liberty as its divine calling. Therefore, liberty and faith never clashed. And as we see, even today Americans are a religious people. Therefore, the Anglo-American approach to religion relies on the principle that religion and liberty are consistent and compatible. I believe that if humanity is looking for happiness, it should combine religious spirituality with the virtues of liberty.

And it is for this reason that I say I respect the American nation because of their great civilization. This respect is due to two reasons: the essence and pillars of the Anglo-American civilization and the dialogue among the civilizations.

You are cognizant of the great heritage of the Iranian nation with its glorious civilization and culture. Irans glorious civilization was concurrent with the Greek city states and the Roman Empire. After the advent of Islam, the Iranians ardently embraced it. The blend of Iranian talents and the sublime Islamic teachings was a miracle. Without intending to deny the share of other nations in the formation of the Islamic civilization, I believe the great Iranian civilization had a major role in developing and promoting the Islamic system.

Over the past two centuries, the Iranian nation has striven to establish liberty, independence and a noble way of life. The Constitutional Movement colonialism. Ultimately, the Islamic Revolution had-and should have-two directions: First, an interpretation of religion which couples religiosity with liberty. Of course, now that four centuries have passed since the beginning of the American civilization, human experience has taught us that prosperous life should hinge on three pillars: religiosity, liberty, and justice. These are the assets and aspirations of the Islamic Revolution as it enters the 21st century.

In terms of the dialogue of civilizations, we intend to benefit from the achievements and experiences of all civilizations, Western and non-Western, and to hold dialogue with them. The closer the pillars and essences of these two civilizations are, the easier the dialogue would become. With our revolution, we are experiencing a new phase of reconstruction of civilization. We feel that what we seek is what the founders of the American civilization were also pursuing four centuries ago. This is why we sense an intellectual affinity with the essence of the American civilization.

Second, there is the issue of the independence. The American nation was the harbinger of independence struggles, the initiator of efforts to establish independence, for whose cause it has offered many sacrifices, leading ultimately to the Declaration of Independence which is an important document on human dignity and rights.

Finally, I should refer to the struggles of the Iranian people over the last two centuries which culminated in the quest for independence during the Islamic Revolution launched by Imam Khomeini. When Imam Khomeini launched the revolution, Iran was in a terrible condition. In other words, the Iranian nation had been humiliated and its fate was decided by others. You know that a remarkable feature of Imam Khomeinis struggle was his fight against capitulation which the Shah was forced to ratify making the American advisors immune from prosecution in Iran. This was the worst humiliation for our people. They rose up, fought for independence, and emerged victorious. Of course, the war of the revolution was one of words not weapons. We, therefore, endeavored to obtain a novel experience of religion and to gain independence. Both these features are salient in the American civilization and we feel close to them.

But here I have to express pity over a tragedy which has occurred. Unfortunately, policies pursued by American politicians outside the United States over the past half a century since World War II are incompatible with the American civilization which is founded on democracy, freedom and human dignity. We ardently wished that those who enforced this foreign policy were representatives of the prominent American civilization; a civilization which was achieved at a heavy cost, and not the representatives of those adventurers who were defeated by the American people themselves.

This flawed policy of domination had three setbacks: One was severe damages that it incurred upon the deprived and oppressed nations, including our own. The other setback was that it dashed the hopes of the people of the colonized world, who had placed their trust in the U.S. tradition of struggle for independence. When the policies for domination were implemented in the name of the American people, the nations lost their trust in the Americans. This represents a grave damage done by the U.S. policies on the American nation. The Third and most important of these setbacks is that what was implemented was done in name of a great people that had risen for freedom. I feel that the American politicians should realize this fact and adjust themselves with the standards of Anglo-American and American civilization and at least apologize to their own people because of the approach they have adopted.

AMANPOUR: You said that you wanted to use this interview to deliver a message to the American people. I've lived in America, and I know the concerns of the average American when it comes to Iran. And its the message that has come out of Iran for the last twenty years, the message; hostage taking, the message of death to America, the message of burning the American flag, the message that almost looks like Islam has declared a war against America and the west. Let me ask you first about the hostage crisis which is emblazoned in every American's mind. As you know, in all revolutions, the communist revolution in Russia, the French revolution, perhaps even the American revolution, the early years contain many excesses. Would you say that taking the American hostages, at the beginning of the Iranian Islamic revolution falls into the category of early revolutionary excesses?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: Thank you for your question. I believe that first we have to analyze events within their proper context and with circumspection. The image of Islam which has been presented, and I dont want to accuse anyone here, has been an erroneous one. Islam is a religion which calls all humanity, irrespective of religion or belief, to rationality and logic. Islam invites followers of all divine religions to unite around God worship and all Muslims to fraternity. The Islam which we know and practice and founded our revolution on recognized the right of all human beings to determine their own destiny. It declares that relations among nations must be based on logic and mutual respect. Such Islam is enemy to no nation, enemy to no religion. It seeks dialogue, understanding and peace with all nations. One of the major flaws in the U.S. foreign policy, which I recently construed as being behind times, is that they continue to live with cold war mentality and try to create a perceived enemy. Here I dont wish to insult anyone. I know that there are quite a few wise and fair-minded statesmen in the United States, but the outcome of the interplay with the U.S. policy has shaped the U.S. policy in a manner that continues to be a prisoner of cold war mentality. After the collapse of communism, there has been an attempt by certain circles to portray Islam as the new enemy, and regrettably they are targeting progressive Islam rather than certain regressive interpretations of Islam. They attack an Islam which seeks democracy, progress and development; an Islam which calls for utilization of achievements of human civilization including that of the west.

With regard to the hostage issue which you raised, I do know that the feelings of the great American people have been hurt, and of course I regret it. Yet, these same feelings were also hurt when bodies of young Americans were brought back from Vietnam, but the American people never blamed the Vietnamese people, but rather blamed their own politicians for dragging their country and its youth into the Vietnam quagmire. The pressure by the American people terminated that senseless and inhuman war. In fact the American people themselves brought that war to an end.

The feelings of our people were seriously hurt by U.S. policies. And as you said, in the heat of the revolutionary fervor, things happen which cannot be fully contained or judged according to usual norms. This was the crying out of the people against humiliations and inequities imposed upon them by the policies of the U.S. and others, particularly in the early days of the revolution. With the grace of God, today our new society has been institutionalized and we have a popularly elected powerful government, and there is no need for unconventional methods of expression of concerns and anxieties. And I believe when there is logic, especially when there are receptive ears, there is no need other than discourse, debate and dialogue.

AMANPOUR: So, are you saying that despite the grievances that you talk about, with hindsight, if you had to do this all again, would Iran have done it differently at that time?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: As I said, everything must be analyzed within its own context. The events of those days must be viewed within the context of revolutionary fervor and the pressures to which the Iranian nation was subjected, causing it to seek a way to express its anxieties and concerns. Today we are in the period of stability, and fully adhere to all norms of conduct regulating relations between nations and governments.

With the grace of God, today all the affairs of country are being conducted within the framework of law. And as I have stated, both in domestic and foreign affairs, we shall endeavor to strengthen the rule of law in every respect.

AMANPOUR: Mr. President, Americans, the average American, is familiar with one image of Iran, death to America, the burning of the American flag, and as we talked about, the hostages. You talk about a new chapter in relations between the peoples of the world. What can you say to the Americans listening tonight, to show that person that your Iran is a new Iran or a different Iran?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: I say that these issues should be examined with due consideration to their root causes and various dimensions. There are slogans being changed in Iran. But, you as a journalist can ask all those chanting the slogans whether they are targeting the American people. And they would all say no. Not only we do not harbor any ill wishes for the American people, but in fact we consider them to be great nation. Our aim is not even to destroy or undermine the American government. These slogans symbolize a desire to terminate a mode of relations which existed between Iran and the United States. This is a response to that grave affront by a former U.S. defense secretary who said the Iranian nation must be rooted out. It is also a response to the downing of the Iranian airliner that killed about 300 innocent people, mostly women and children. Even if we accept that the shooting was accidental, the decoration of the commander of the American naval vessel responsible for the tragedy was indeed adding insult to injury. There is also the recent allocation $20 million by the U.S. Congress to topple the Iranian government. Our people consider U.S. foreign policy to be aimed at undermining and confrontation with itself. And, in fact, they want the death of this relationship. No one has the intention of insulting the American nation and we even consider the U.S. government as the legitimate and lawful representative American flag, which represents its nationhood, and which hurts the collective feelings of the nation. As far as I know, the Leader of the Revolution and other authorities are also not happy with this practice. There might be actions taking place that might not meet with your approval. Yet I am sure that those doing such actions do not intend to insult the American people. And we hope that actions which might be interpreted as anti-American people and nation would not take place.

AMANPOUR: You say that you want to talk to the American people. Are you prepared to sit down eventually and talk to the American government about the issues that you have just mentioned tonight that separate and divide you?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: Firstly, nothing should prevent dialogue and understanding between two nations, especially between their scholars and thinkers. Right now, I recommend the exchange of professors, writers, scholars, artists, journalists, and tourists. A large number of educated and noble Iranians now reside in the U.S. as representatives of the Iranian nation. This shows that there is no hostility between the two nations. But the dialogue between civilizations and nations is different from political relations. In regard to political relations, we have to consider the factors which lead to the severance of relations. If some day another situation is to emerge, we must definitely consider the roots and relevant factors and try to eliminate them.

Firstly, I have to state that U.S. foreign policy behavior toward Iran has inflicted damages upon us. But is also had a positive effect. It caused us to mainly focus on our domestic capabilities and resources to advance our objectives. Now, too, we feel no need for ties with the U.S., especially as the modern world is so diverse and plural that we can reach our objectives without U.S. assistance. I especially feel that many progressive countries-including the Europeans- are far more advanced in their foreign policies than the U.S.. We are carrying out our own activities and have no need for political ties with the United States.

But the point is that the political behavior of governments should not deprive nations from enjoying the opportunities provided by each side. There is a bulky wall of mistrust between us and the U.S. Administration, a mistrust rooted in improper behaviors of the American governments. As an example of this type of U.S. behavior, I should refer to admitted involvement of the U.S. Government in the 1953 coup detat which toppled Mosaddeqs national government, immediately followed by a $45 million loan to strengthen unpopular foreign installed Government. I should also refer to the Capitulation Law imposed by the U.S. on Iran.

The attitude of the U.S. after the victory of the revolution has not been a civilized one. They have adopted a hostile policy against Iran. They have tried to inflict economic damage upon us, a clear example of which is the DAmato act which represents a continuation of cold war mentality and the lack of appreciation of realities to the point that they even want to impose their will upon other countries such as European countries and Japan or the allocation of the already mentioned $20 million to topple the Iranian government.

The success of our revolution has come at a great cost to our nation. And the U.S. has a major share in the cost imposed upon the Iranian nation. There is a grave mistrust between us. If negotiations are not based on mutual respect, they will never lead to positive results. The condition is that American foreign policy should abandon its instrumental rationality and stop considering adopt an approach based on communicative rationality which is inherent in the American civilization.

There must first be a crack in this wall of mistrust to prepare for a change and create an opportunity to study a new situation. Unfortunately, the behavior of American Government in the past up to this date has always exacerbated the climate of mistrust and we do not detect any sign of change of behavior.

We are looking for a world in which misunderstandings can be overcome, nations can understand one another and mutual respect and logic govern relations among states. It is the right of every nation to stand on its principles and values and have the expectation of respect and dignity from others.

AMANPOUR: Then where does this dialogue, this message to the people of the United States lead?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: When I speak of dialogue, I intend dialogue between civilizations and cultures. Such discourse should be centered around thinkers and intellectuals. I believe that all doors should now be opened for such dialogue and understanding and possibilities for contact even between American understanding between our two nations, a better future for both countries and nations may be forged.

AMANPOUR: Let me ask you some specific issues that concern the people of the United States. As you know, many U.S experts say that the evidence is overwhelming, that elements of the Iranian authorities, Iranian officials, provide not only political and moral, but financial support to organizations that commit acts of terrorism, and result in the deaths of innocent women and children. If you were presented with proof and with evidence that any kind of Iranian was involved in that kind of financial support or act, what would you do about it?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: You see, this is another example of the sort of problem that exists between us and the United States. They first level unfair and unsubstantiated accusations against you. And when they propose to hold talks, they say that they want to have a dialogue with you about these very unfounded accusations. They are in fact trying to put the other side on trial.

Well, let me tell you this. We believe in the holy Quran that says: slaying of one innocent person is tantamount to the slaying of all humanity. How could such a religion, and those who claim to be its followers get involved in the assassination of innocent individuals and the slaughter of innocent human beings. We categorically reject all these allegations.

Secondly, the logic of history has proven that violence is not the way to achieve desired end. I personally believe that only those who lack logic resort to violence. Terrorism should be condemned in all its forms and manifestations; assassins must be condemned. Terrorism is useless anyway and we condemn it categorically. Those who level these charges against us are best advised to provide accurate and objective evidence, which indeed does not exist.

AMANPOUR: If you were provided with the proof that an Iranian official had used any kind of Iranian funds to reward or finance any group or individual that was involved in an act of terrorism, would you punish that person or that organization?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: Certainly if I learn of any instance of such assistance to terrorism, I shall deal with it, so will our Leader, and so will our entire system. At the same time, supporting peoples who fight for the liberation of their land is not, in my opinion, supporting terrorism. It is, in fact, supporting those who are engaged in combating state terrorism. AMANPOUR: Regardless of the motive, do you believe that killing innocent women and children is terrorism, as for instance what happens on the streets of Israel?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: It is definitely so. Any form of killing of innocent men and women who are not involved in confrontations is terrorism; it must be condemned, and we, in our term, condemn every form of it in the world.

AMANPOUR: Americans say that they have reports that Iranian officials abroad regularly engage in acts of surveillance against Americans, the sort of surveillance that could be interpreted as preceeding an attack. Do you think that is appropriate?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: I deny this categorically. On our part there has been no new move, no special measures with regard to the United States in external fields; this is another false rumor spread by those who bear a grudge against us.

AMANPOUR: Iran has said that it doesn't agree with the Middle East peace process. Yasser Arafat was elected as a representative of the Palestinian legitimate aims. And he has entered into a peace process. Do you think that it is appropriate for any foreign power to engage in supporting the groups that are fighting against Yasser Arafat -- the groups such as Hamas and others?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: First of all, we have declared our opposition to the Middle East peace process because we believe it will not succeed. At the same time, we have clearly said that we dont intend to impose our views on others or to stand in their way. In our view all Palestinians have the right to express their views about their land, including the millions of Palestinians in Diaspora. They too have a right to self determination. Only then can there be a lasting peace. We seek a peace through which Jews, Muslims and Christians, and indeed each and every Palestinian, could freely determine their own destiny. And we are prepared to contribute towards the realization of that peace.

But let me elaborate a little for the American people on my views about U.S. Middle East policy. Anti-semitism is indeed a western phenomenon. It has no precedence in Islam or in the east. Jews and Muslims have lived harmoniously together for centuries. In the east, we have had despotism and dictatorship, but never had fascism or nazism. These, too, are also western phenomena, and the west has paid dearly to combat them. What concerns me is that, first, this western anti-semitism has turned into a tool for the imposition of a whole range of improper policies and practices on the people of the Middle East and Muslims in general. Secondly, I am concerned that this western dilemma may be projected elsewhere, that is fascism and nazism are suppressed in the west, they may resurface in another form in western policies elsewhere.

Obviously, Washington is the U.S. capital where policy decision on U.S. national interests must be made. However, the impression of the people of the Middle East and Muslims in general is that certain foreign policy decisions of the U.S. are in fact made in Tel Aviv and not in Washington. And I regret to say that the improper American policy of unbridled support for the aggressions of a racist terrorist regime does not serve U.S. interests, nor does it even serve that of the Jewish people. Zionists constitute a small portion of the Jewish people and have openly declared and proven in practice that they are expansionist. The Israeli intransigence in the course of the current peace process, and its failure to honor its own undertakings has enraged even U.S. allies in the region. In my view, peace can come to the Middle East when all Palestinians, Jews and Muslims alike, can determine the future of the land. That should include those living in Palestine as well as those refugees living elsewhere. Only then can a stable and lasting peace be established. Many in the world might share our view, and many may differ with us. We simply present our opinion, and have the greatest respect for all Palestinians who are concerned about the future of Palestine. Meanwhile, we believe the United States should not risk the substantial prestige and credibility of the American people on supporting a racist regime which does not even have the backing of the Jewish people.

The subject of Middle East peace is one that needs a sober and pragmatic analysis. We believe that it will not succeed, because it is not just and it does not address the rights of all parties in an equitable manner. We are prepared to contribute to an international effort to bring about a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

AMANPOUR: Mr. President, you know another concern of the west is Iran's nuclear program. Would you consider entering a special agreement, a special sort of situation with the atomic energy agency, for special monitoring, if that would lessen the fears of the people you say you want to have a better dialogue with?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: We are a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The official representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency have inspected our facilities in Iran several times, and have publicly declined that we are not planning on building nuclear weapons and only aim to employ nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It is ironic that those who are so concerned about saving humanity from nuclear weapons, fully support Israel which is a nuclear power and is unwilling to join the NPT or accept IAEA safeguards, while leveling allegations against Iran which has not even been able to complete its first nuclear power plant which began before the revolution. These are all pretexts for imposing certain policies on Iran and the region and to create panic and mistrust. We are not a nuclear power and do not intend to become one. We have accepted IAEA safeguards and our facilities are routinely inspected by that agency.

AMANPOUR: Mr. President, you are the president of Iran. You have made certain promises to the people of Iran, and now you have said certain things about dialogue with other countries. Can you implement your promises to the people of Iran? Do you have the authority and the room to maneuver? And in foreign policy, are you able to implement foreign policy?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: Surely, after being elected, one should abide by ones promises and not to retract on them. I am determined to fulfill my promises and I believe the atmosphere is conducive and would improve day by day. Each person will carry out his tasks in his legal capacity. The President shoulders the important task of enforcing the Constitution. I have set up a Constitution Monitoring Group for the first time ever and this group is actively working to locate instances of violations or incorrect enforcement of the Constitution. We will be seriously address any shortcoming in the implementation or violation of the Constitution. And we shall succeed. Iran has one government which makes decisions on domestic and foreign policies within the framework of its duties. Of course, there are many issues that should be approved by the Parliament. The overall policies are determined by the eminent Leadership. But it is the government that has to enforce them. I feel there is no barrier along the way of the government authority and the government accepts it own responsibility. We will surely implement any policy that we formulate. It is possible that preliminary steps in certain areas might need time. But when we arrive at a policy, we will definitely carry it out. The government is responsible to carry out duties associated with its sovereign responsibilities in the society.

AMANPOUR: There is quite a lot of opposition from the conservative faction. How are you able to operate within this climate?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: When we speak of democratic government, or government of the people, it means that we accept opposition. We cannot possibly have a society with no opposition at all. Such differences of opinion are natural and they are to be found in all societies. We should learn not to allow such differences to turn into confrontation, but to direct them into their legal channels. Certainly there are elements who are opposing our government, but so long as their opposition is practiced within the provisions of the Constitution, we certainly respect them. But those wishing to impose their will against the law will naturally be dealt with through the proper legal channels. We accept both internal differences as well as any opposition that accepts the Constitutional framework, even if they openly oppose the government.

AMANPOUR: On the one hand, a lot of people want more openess, more freedom for all the things that you have even talked about. You are also appointing reform-minded ministers. On the other hand, there are still, if I could call them thugs, who are on the streets, interfering with women who they don't like their appearance, preventing certain professors from going to school. There is a confrontation. Where can you lead this confrontation?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: I do not consider this a serious conflict. Of course, there are various tendencies, which were present during the elections as well. The people have made their decision. What I have said and continue to insist on is that rule of law should be paramount, and no one should consider himself above the law and try to impose his views on others. Some of these frictions are quite natural in a democratic society. Our objective is to bring everything within the framework of the law. There may be occasional irregularities and actions outside the legal framework. But we will spare no effort to institutionalize the rule of law. Of course, to begin with, we have to create understanding amongst ourselves and learn to tolerate each other. You cannot bring about understanding and tolerance in the society by force. We are determined that there should only be one government in the society by force. We are determined that there should only be one government in the society and every one must submit to the law. I think that it is universally accepted that law is the basis of social order. Fortunately, our leader fully subscribes to this view. I hope that we can take more and more practical steps for the realization of the rule of law in our society.

AMANPOUR: Nonetheless there are two factions that seem to have been identified in Iran right now. The more conservative and the one that you lead, the reform minded, the more moderate. Where do you think that Iran will be one year from now? Will there be the freedoms and openess that you have talked about?

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: Let these divisions find their meanings within their own context. Terms such as conservative, moderate and the like are more often meaningful in the West. Of course we have differences of opinion in Iran too, and one political tendency firmly believes in the prevalence of logic and the rule of law while there might be another tendency that believes it is entitled to go beyond the law. Anyway, such issues need tolerance and we must try to bring about such an understanding as to enable us to stay together while having differences of view but not let things become chaotic. Should we carefully prepare the ground for the implementation of the law in our society, there shall be no problem vis-a-vis such oppositions. I consider them natural and we need not worry about it. Of course reaching an ideal society with all its affairs in proper order needs time. We have the necessary patience, so do our people and we shall all try to move towards an orderly society where logic and law reign supreme.

AMANPOUR: Mr. President, thank you very much for joining us.

PRESIDENT KHATAMI: I thank you very much and I thank all dear viewers for their patience.

There is ususally not much to be said about two former presidents of countries getting together. Retirees often like to talk about their glory days back at work. But the meeting of Jimmy Carter and Mohammad Khatami is something else.

As Amil Imani just wrote in these pages, we live in an unbelievably bizarre age—- an age in which the single most inane president of the 20th century, James Earl “Sucker” Carter, is awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for empowering the scariest nuke-hungry gang of murdering theocrats ever seen. Twenty-seven years after Carter’s Folly, Tehran’s Khomeini cult is by far the biggest threat to life on earth —- never mind world peace—- promising on a near-daily basis to erase Israel, to launch terror attacks on France, Germany, Britain, and of course, to destroy the United States. Just five years ago, 3,000 innocent people died in New York City, victims of precisely the kind of terrorism Tehran sponsors all the time. Of course the mullahs cheered and applauded after the Twin Towers crashed.

These people torture and kill routinely—- for example they raped and beat the beautiful Canadian-Iranian woman journalist Zahra Kazemi to death, merely for visiting their oppressed country. In the Khomeini paradise a famous judge just hanged with his own hands a sixteen-year-old girl for walking hand-in-hand with a man in public.

Israel just fought a totally unnecessary war in Lebanon, stoked up entirely by Iran’s fanatical puppet Hezbollah. The Mullahs lavished praise on Hezbollah for raining down missiles on Israeli cities, and rewarded them with a fresh supply of missiles to kill some more. Just yesterday, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opened his first heavy water plant, and the regime immediately told the world it would use heavy water to cure AIDS.

Tehran has lied about almost everything to almost everyone, not just once, but hardly without ever stopping to take a breath. Most recently the regime lied again to Carter’s beloved United Nations, which finally, finally, bestirred itself enough to demand an answer on Iran’s fast-moving Bomb program. During Carter’s own Embassy Hostage Crisis the mullahs lied and lied and lied to Dummy Carter himself, who therefore concluded that he can trust them completely.

It is essential for sane nations present a common front to the madcap torturers in Tehran, to pressure them to slow down their nightmare nuke program. So—- what does Dummy Dhimmi Jimmy do? Why, he undermines whatever little leverage we have by inviting one of its chief mullahs to hug and sing Kumbaya. They must be rolling on the floor back in Tehran.

It would take a master satirist like Jonathan Swift to find the right comparison to what Mr. Carter has just achieved, using just plain stupidity of the liberal kind. Swift satirized English neglect of Irish famines, by suggesting in A Modest Proposal that Irish babies might make tasty snacks for prosperous English households. Maybe Jimmy can try a little cannibalism; after all, he leaves dead victims behind him wherever he goes. The Qana babies who were abused for Hezbollah propaganda would probably go well with Georgia peanut sauce. Maybe the Carter Center can bring out a “Jimmy & Roz” recipe book for raped and beaten Canadian journalist, well-done; or for hanged teenage girl. It’s disgusting, it’s nauseating, but not as much as what that silly, silly man from Georgia has done.

James Lewis 9 06 06_________________Long live the memory of Shahanshah Aryamehr.
Long live Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi
Long live Reza Shah II

What yu have stated in regrds to iranian congress is vey good idea and in theori that is what people whoudl do.
But this is notthe first sugestion of this kind and there have been many such suggestions from known and unknown people. Yet we have no where near the idea.
Why?
Again this goes back to lack of strong organizations!
In order to coe together and talk about congress or council or..
yo need to a few huge and strong organizations wich actually have working structure with at least a few years of experience.
If we dont have such organizations people who want to creat huge congress or comittee will never get anywehre as they have to start from scrach with very broad opinions and ideas and at the end this will lead to a dead end. This has been the case so far.

But now imagine if we had all of these activist under roofs of organizations. That would make the world listen to us and we could sit at table and agree among ourselfs as well.

We have discussed this many times in our party and we have decided to open the door for those who have a track reckord. We hope that everyone can take do a their share of work. I have no doubt in my mind that everyone would bennefit from such event and a some kind congress would be more realistic.

ps. Forget about US or anyone else helping us but we can do major changes with our own resources._________________Marze Por Gohar Party
Iranians for a Secuar Republic
ttp://www.marzeporgohar.org/

Despite the fact that I respect what Marze Por Gohar Party, and others .... are trying to do, however what you suggest with limited resources of each group may take years to achieve which we don't have.
As an Free Iran Activist like many other Iranian-Americans are not planning to join any Iranian or American political parties in near future. ActivistChat as small Forum is supporting other political parties and individuals idea issue by issue on case by case basis base on the following guideline:

cyrus wrote:

ActivistChat 2006 Guideline Framework

1. Cyrus the Great (585-529 BC), is the founding father of Persia. ActivistChat members admire Cyrus The Great as the greatest liberator of all time for defining the First Declaration of Human Rights over 2500 years ago and the humane treatment of vast empire he ruled. Professor Richard Frye of Harvard University said; "Surely the concept of One World, the fusion of Peoples and Cultures into oneness was one of his important legacies".

2. Ferdowsi is the father of Iranian Renaissance, neo-Iranian cultural awareness, and the Shahnameh is credited with the revival of Iranian identity.

3. The "War on Terror" which is a subset of "War on Taazi" UNWINNABLE and the world peace can not be achieved as long as the Unelected Taazi Islamists Terror and Torture Masters are in power in Iran. The TAAZI terror state and fear society can not create peace and stability.
To avoid War or Nuclear war or another disaster like Chernobyl nuclear disaster 20 years ago , ( Animation of Nuclear Bunker Buster: Destructive impact on civilian population in Iran and beyond )
our message to Iranian people inside Iran: General Strike Now, our message to Security Forces (Police, Pasdaran and Military) must act now for regime change and replacing it with Free society and Secular Democracy. The Iranian people have already spoken by boycotting Elections. The Armed forces must choose between defending and serving the people or serving Mullahs. This is up to armed and security forces to choose between SHAME and HONOR, serving Mullahs or their Sisters, Brothers, Fathers & Mothers who pay their salary.
To avoid war Iranian people of all ages do not have any choice other than be prepared to fight to free their homeland from Viruses of Iranian society whether the armed forces serve them or serve the enemy of freedom and free society. Iranian people should be prepared for final battle for freeing their homeland from TAAZI and must not forget that their FOREVER leader Cyrus the Great died in battlefield in 530 BC at the age of 60 and not in bed.

4. Iranian people can decide about Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Research and Atomic Bomb after the regime change when they have established stable secular democracy and FREE society until then Iran should avoid any kind of Nuclear research program, resulting to acquire Atomic Bomb, under Islamist Taazi occupation and control.

5. Territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iran.

6. Complete separation of religion from the State.

7. Acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

8. Free, open and democratic referendum to elect the type of the new Government of Iran in the post-IRI era.

9. Minimum standard of living for all citizens of Iran and equal opportunity for all citizens to benefit from country's national wealth.

10. Work within high standard of code of ethics not to fight with other political groups or fellow FREE Iran Activists unless they are violating one of the key principles or moving against the concept of Free Society and secular democracy.

11. We are Free Iran Activists and Watch Group monitoring high government officials, Journalists , writers and scholars words and their actions based on the following direction from James Madison:
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men! over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions. "
The Federalist No. 51 (James Madison).

12. Support and promote people, groups and leadership who are making positive contributions for Human Rights, Regime Change in Iran, Free
Iran, Free Society and Secular democracy from progressive Center, Right and Left.

We thank all compatriots and organizations who contributed for defining part of above Guideline Framework for Human Rights, Regime Change in Iran, Free Iran, Free Society and Secular Democracy .

Is Marze Por Gohar Party agree with above or not?
Please review the above and if you don't agree with any item please make a suggestion or enhance it.

espandyar wrote:

"What yu have stated in regrds to iranian congress is vey good idea and in theori that is what people whoudl do.
But this is notthe first sugestion of this kind and there have been many such suggestions from known and unknown people. Yet we have no where near the idea.
Why?
Again this goes back to lack of strong organizations!
In order to coe together and talk about congress or council or..
yo need to a few huge and strong organizations wich actually have working structure with at least a few years of experience.
If we dont have such organizations people who want to creat huge congress or comittee will never get anywehre as they have to start from scrach with very broad opinions and ideas and at the end this will lead to a dead end. This has been the case so far.

But now imagine if we had all of these activist under roofs of organizations. That would make the world listen to us and we could sit at table and agree among ourselfs as well.

We have discussed this many times in our party and we have decided to open the door for those who have a track reckord. We hope that everyone can take do a their share of work. I have no doubt in my mind that everyone would bennefit from such event and a some kind congress would be more realistic.

.

With the limited resources and issues mentioned before and post it below again if you and others can do it within short period of time is great and you have my support.
Please be realistic.
"Based on today reality that less than one-half of one percent of all Americans made a political contribution of $200 or more to a federal candidate in 2004, when the average cost of winning a seat in the House of Representatives has topped $1 million. How can we expect the Iranian American community pay for freeing their homeland if we consider one-half of one percent as a today rate in US then in case of Iranian American community with complex problems and adding fear factor to it their contributions will be far less."

espandyar wrote:

"
ps. Forget about US or anyone else helping us but we can do major changes with our own resources.
.

Activists are not waiting for others to wake up from Coma, we will try our best with limited resources to be able to look at ourselves in the mirror.

In order to create unity of Vision if you have time please look at the following and answer one by one whether it is true or not or please enhance it or educate us.

Cyrus wrote:

FREE Iran Today Issues

Freeing Iran has become much tougher than old USSR, Lebanon, Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgystan for Iranian people. Iranian people as a hostage to evil Mullahs, Neo Colonialist power Russia, China, and EU3 are facing the following difficulties:
1) These countries (USSR, Lebanon, Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgystan ...) could not bribe G8 governments with stolen Oil/Gas money, attractive financial contracts and cheap Oil.
2) The ruling class Clerical Mafia Islamist in Iran are very corrupt and they do anything to stay in power, they don't have any principle and ethics .
3) These countries were not using terrorism both internally and externally for creating fear throughout the world (Lebanon is latest example).
4) The ruling class Clerical Mafia Islamist are giving the key positions to people that their hands are dirty with blood and terrorism so they stay faithful to the regime , ruling class Mafia and these thugs have no way out . The profile of their new President Select is good indication how they are operating.
5) In USSR they did not have political freedom but they had personal social freedom (Dancing drinking, dress code .....)
6) Distributing Drug to destroy youth for controlling the society (using past Colonial British Evil Model in China, Iran and India).
7) Tough battle and not much real support from free world (G so far.
In past 27 years China, Rusia and EU3 were helping the Islamist regime Terror network, who was really helping Iranian people for FREE Society ...?
9) As an example of 400 terror outside Iran in France on 6th August, 1991 Prime Minister Dr. Shapur Bakhtiar was murdered by the agents of the Islamic Republic Mafia with knife in his Paris home.The killer arrested and released by French government for good Oil cntract. As a firm opponent of all totalitarian rule, he volunteered for service with the French Resistance and served in the "Orlean" battalion in WWII. France as a good example of G8 countries sold his hero and soul to cheap oil and contracts from Islamic Mafia.
10) As everyone aware, there is not any better case than Ms. Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian photojournalist. What G8/UN has done for this case in past 2 years?.
11) Human Rights and Women Rights abuses in Iran have been correctly documented by US State Dept.
12) UN Human Rights / Women Rights and UN leadership are not responsive and the UN has become irrelevent.

Iranian American community Weakness and Facts:

Over a year ago one of the American Scholar in Washington stated in the conference that if Iranian American community would have helped Iranian freedom movement financially the way Jews support Israel then regime would have been changed long time ago and don't expect US government support and help. Despite the fact that there are truth in this statement we should consider the following obstacles and facts:

1) President Bush Admin is the first American administration in past 27 years that publicly separated Iranian people from Islamist regime, therefore many Iranian American were under fear of getting involved in politics even in US. It is not easy to survive when a small group of minority are fighting terror while free world appeasing Mullahs ....
2) Jews have religious institution to gather for helping one another, majority of Iranian American community don't have any religion (agnostic) and with past 27 years experience with Islam they are running away from any religion, specially mosque and any kind of Islam . It is much easier to collect money in the name of god , religion and selling key to heaven than to collect money for FREE Society, secular democracy and what no one can guarantee.
3) In past 27 years the Iranian culture has been attacked by Islamist regime viciously. In the Islamist cultural attack and war of ideas the Iranian community won and the regime has lost very badly despite the fact that were alone in their fight . Iranian oppositions, writers ... should be credited for over 80% support for US among public in Iran. The 80% support for US in Iran is unmatched by any other country in the world.
4) Iranian American are new immigrant the Jews have been in US for a long time .
5) Iranian American community had many difficulties to get Visa for US and other Free World countries.
6) The US government has not stopped the regime spending over 100 million dollars in US soil against freedom-loving Iranian American community....
7) In past 27 years due to over 400 terrors outside Iran by the Islamist regime agents, they have created such a fear that the majority of Iranian American are afraid of helping to FREE Iran and also getting involved in the complex Iranian politics.
Based on today reality that less than one-half of one percent of all Americans made a political contribution of $200 or more to a federal candidate in 2004, when the average cost of winning a seat in the House of Representatives has topped $1 million. How can we expect the Iranian American community pay for freeing their homeland if we consider one-half of one percent as a today rate in US then in case of Iranian American community with complex problems and adding fear factor to it their contributions will be far less.
Solution To Problem
The Iranian American Solidarity Congress For Freeing Iran and leadership election is the possible solution and key to many concerns by Iranian-American community and U.S. officials. Due to the fact that over million Iranians are scattered in U.S. therefore it is difficult task and a big help if the U.S government directly and openly provide resources to setup a fair election among the Iranian American Candidates who believe in the principles defined below and wish to work full time for freeing their homeland. Such an election might cost many millions of dollars considering high advertising cost in U.S. Media.

Suggestion:The constituents of the Iranian American Solidarity Congress and Leadership outside Iran in USA will be all those organizations and individuals who believe in the following 10 general Articles:
1. Cyrus the Great (585-529 BC), is the founding father of Persia. ActivistChat members admire Cyrus The Great as the greatest liberator of all time for defining the First Declaration of Human Rights over 2500 years ago and the humane treatment of vast empire he ruled. Professor Richard Frye of Harvard University said; "Surely the concept of One World, the fusion of Peoples and Cultures into oneness was one of his important legacies".

2. Ferdowsi is the father of Iranian Renaissance, neo-Iranian cultural awareness, and the Shahnameh is credited with the revival of Iranian identity.

3. The "War on Terror" which is a subset of "War on Taazi" UNWINNABLE and the world peace can not be achieved as long as the Unelected Taazi Islamists Terror and Torture Masters are in power in Iran. The TAAZI terror state and fear society can not create peace and stability.

4. Iranian people can decide about Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Research and Atomic Bomb after the regime change when they have established stable secular democracy and FREE society until then Iran should avoid any kind of Nuclear research program, resulting to acquire Atomic Bomb, under Islamist Taazi occupation and control.

5. Territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iran.

6. Complete separation of religion from the State.

7. Acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

8. Free, open and democratic referendum to elect the type of the new Government of Iran in the post-IRI era.

9. Minimum standard of living for all citizens of Iran and equal opportunity for all citizens to benefit from country's national wealth.
10. Past Islamist regime members can not become candidate for election.
The item 1 and 2 above are conforming with President Bush Speech to United States Merchant Marine Academy (June 19, 2006)
"I've a message for the Iranian people: The United States respects you and your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and your many contributions to civilization. When Cyrus the Great led the Iranian people more than 2,500 years ago, he delivered one of the world's first declarations of individual rights, including the right to worship God in freedom. Through the centuries, Iranians have achieved distinction in medicine and science and poetry and philosophy, and countless other fields."
The item 3 and 4 above are conforming with US policy towards Iran.
In reponse to those official who might wish to appease Mullahs, according to President Bush the Iranian people are hostage of small clerical elite therefore US government can not recognize the regime as government of Iran and US can use any means to liberate Iranian people.
“The same is true of Iran, a nation now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people. The regime in that country sponsors terrorists in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon -- and that must come to an end. The Iranian government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions -- and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons. America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats. And tonight, let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran: America respects you, and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom. And our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran.”

"Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe, because in the long run stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty," President Bush said.
Source URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060131-10.html
After an election the U.S. should consider to allocate and provide funds or release part of the frozen Iranian assets to the elected Iranian American Solidarity Congress for regime change in Iran and pay salary to these elected Iranians or Americans by over million Iranian American community who should be working full time in Washington to provide support for Freeing their homeland.

ActivistChat is writing or supporting politically incorrect Petitions to document truth ... and we don't intend to be pratical and we are very demanding for good reasons ....

Is Marze Por Gohar Party supporting the following petition or not considering the fact that there is comment section if there is someting that you don't agree or something you wish to add you may write it in the comment section ?
If Marze Por Gohar Party does not support this petition, please educate us why?

We are using the petition not in classical sense, but for unity of vision among FREE Iran Activist.
By design we are writing petitions with expectation of 50 signatures or less ...

To: International Criminal Court (ICC), Human Rights Watch Geneva, Reporters Without Borders, U.S. President, U.S. Congress, Heads of Free World’s States, the European Parliament, and The International Law Professors, Judges, Lawyers, Prosecutors and Freedom-Loving Activists (Left, Center, and Right)

The ethics of life are the pursuit of awareness about truth for ourselves and others. The ultimate goal is total awareness by increasing public awareness about the truth .

FREE Iran Real Cases Mock Trials declares Khatami, Khameni, Rafsanjani, Amadinejad ... as Islamic Fascists leadership and Occupiers of Iran who are considered as guilty for Crimes Against Humanity according to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and established International Law. They have created Fear Society, Terror and have taken 70 million Iranians as their hostages.

Due to extensive nature of Islamic Fascists leadership crimes against humanity in Iran and outside, therefore we examine Mullah Khatami criminal case record as an example of so called more moderate Islamic Fascist leadership element and master of deception to expose tip of iceberg for our fellow freedom-loving people of the world review, and consideration.

Over the past 28 years the Islamic Fascists occupiers of Iran and regime's agents, courts, judges and vigilantes have all committed acts of: International terrorism, mass execution of political prisoners, murder, stoning, torture, assault, theft, destruction of property, arson, perjury, falsification of testimonials and material evidence, illegal surveillance, kidnapping, rape, blackmail, fraud, obstruction of justice, creating fear society, conspiracy, cover-ups and every other form of butchery and depredation.

Top Iranian scholar Dr. Assad Homayoun regarding Khatami Era :
“It is universally known that the former President has declared himself a proponent of “dialogue between civilizations”. But it is not commonly known that in a number of speeches and pronouncements he has consistently characterized Israel as “a cancer on the body of nations”, and on numerous occasions when officiating at Friday prayers in Tehran, he has led the congregation with slogans of death to the Great Satan.
As the President of the Islamic Republic, by all documented accounts, his tenure was rife with corruption, brutal suppression, illegal incarceration, torture and murder of students and other dissidents, murder of prominent members of the opposition both inside Iran and abroad, continued plunder of national wealth, rampant increase in drug use by the youth, and prostitution becoming a thriving export industry. But of course, there were some achievements as well: The secret development of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the development of short and medium range missile systems in Iran, and the financing of international terrorist organizations.”
Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29534#29534

Freedom-loving Iranian-American Activist Writer and Poet Mr. Amil Imani:
“More importantly, Khatami is a genocidal criminal who should be tried in a court of law, rather than being received as a high-ranking dignitary. Here is a partial indictment.”
Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8238

Freedom-loving Iranian-American Activist Mr. Pooya Dayanim president of IJPAC:
"Mohammad Khatami was the president of Iran between the years of 1997 and 2004. The State Department listed Iran as the number-one state sponsor of terrorism during those years. Among other things, during the Khatami years, Iran refused to hand over to the United States the Iranian intelligence officials who supervised the attack on the Khobar towers that killed American soldiers. Khatami continues to support Hezbollah, Hamas, and has called for the destruction of the state of Israel." Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29564#29564

Top Iranian Journalist Mr. Amir Taheri , France's leading foreign-policy journal:
” This may well provide an opportunity for the U.S. media to ask Khatami about the atrocities committed by his administration, including the assassination of dissidents, the arrest and torture of thousands of people, including trade unionists and student leaders, the closing of over 150 newspapers and magazines, the banning of hundreds of books and dozens of films, the arming of the Hezbollah in Lebanon, shipping weapons to Yasser Arafat’s terror units and Islamic Jihad, and providing the Jaish al-Mahdi in Iraq with money and arms.
Let us not forget that it was during Khatami's administration that the Islamic Republic speeded up its nuclear program to acquire the so-called “surge capacity” needed for manufacturing atomic warheads.
Khatami would also have to explain whether or not he still regards Hassan Nasrallah, leader of he Lebanese branch of Hezbollah, as “The Sun of Islam shining over the world,” as he put it in a message on July 15”.
http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29564#29564

Statement from Senator Brownback:
”Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984, and under Khatami's watch, Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terror. In addition, President Khatami led a government responsible for numerous human rights violations. His government brutally cracked down on Iranians who called for political reforms and engaged in repeated and systematic persecution of religious minorities. He should not be allowed to become the highest ranking Iranian official to visit the United States since the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. " Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29561#29561

Statement from Senator George Allen:
" Khatami’s visa was granted three days after his application when ordinary Iranians are required to wait months for their visas to be approved and when Iranians who have been granted visas have reportedly been detained upon their arrival in the United States and forced to leave our country. " Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29562#29562

Statement from Dr. Michael Ledeen is resident scholar in the Freedom Chair at the American Enterprise Institute :
"Khatami is very much a member of the clerical fascist regime. He was the empty vessel into which the Iranian people poured their dreams of freedom when they elected him; now he couldn’t win an election for dog catcher. He presided over brutal repression, including the grisly murders of the Forouhars in 1978 and the mass murders and arrests of student demonstrators a year later."
Statement from Ms. Anne Bayefsky is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and at Touro College Law Center.
"The U.S. visa to former Iranian President Khatami - who wasn’t exactly AWOL during the buildup of Iran’s nuclear program - is not an isolated event. As the pattern of all talk and no action takes hold, this move too will undercut any demand to the international community for immediate, serious sanctions on Iran. If we aren’t prepared to isolate Iran, why should anyone else?"
Statement from Mr. Gary Metz is editor of Regime Change Iran :
" He should be arrested."
Statement from Laurent Murawiec is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute :
"Judgments regarding Iran must be based on the nature of its regime, from Khomeini to today’s Guide Khamenei and Ahmadinejad: the regime of the Islamic Revolution is apocalyptic, millenarian, eschatological. It wishes for the apocalypse that will bring forward the coming of the Mahdi, who will in turn win the great battle with Satan that will extend Allah’s writ to the entire earth. It devoutly believes that the nuclear Holocaust where Israel would perish would hugely advance the timetable of reappearance of the Twelfth Iman, the Mahdi."
Source URL for all the above from NRO Symposium:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzhmNTQ0NDQ3MmIxZDlmZWVlNmViMzE0YjkzMTNiYmM

The Rev. Canon Keith Roderick, D.D.:
”In 1984, Khatami declared that Iran was at war with the United States . During his administration Hezbollah was born and he continues to support it. The Anglican Church in Iran was decimated during his presidency. During the last year of his presidency legislation was introduced into the Iranian parliament to adopt a strict Islamic dress code, which not only reversed the progress of individual _expression, but also was designed to segregate Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians by assigning colors that they must wear, reminiscent to the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear under the Nazi regime in Germany. Iranian activists and youth recognize that the “Smiling Mullah” has an appeal to the West, but it is only a façade that veils the insidious failure to bring about authentic change during his presidency.”
http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29619#29619

Statement from JCRC :
" His earlier behavior was not any better. As a member of the council under Ayatollah Khomeini, Khatami did nothing to prevent or protest the murder of 3,000 political prisoners in a single week in 1998. In charge of censorship for a decade in Iran, he banned over 600 books and he stated in the Iran daily Keyhan in 1980 that only clergy should serve in government."
For furthure details regarding the above Real Cases Mock Trial please visit the following URL: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29569#29569

WE, the undersigned, as members of the civilized world, call urgently on the free world to set up a committee to investigate the involvement of the clerical regime in crimes of conspiracy to commit genocide and crimes against humanity according to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and established International Law.

We, the Undersigned, therefore demand based on over 28 years evidence:
- That world governments declare the Islamic Clerical Regime of Iran as illegitimate and unfit to govern and expel from UN and all International Institutions.
- That all high ranking regime officials be investigated and prosecuted by respected International Courts for genocide and many other crimes against humanity.
- Mullah Khatami, Khameni, Rafsanjani, Amadinejad ... as Islamic Fascists, Terrorists and International criminals. They must be arrested outside Iran on basis of the following facts:
1- Human Rights Violation, Women Rights Violation, and Stoning Women.
2- Using religion as a tool against the majority who demand for Free Society and Secular Democracy.
3- Threat to global peace and security.
4. Support for Terrorism.
5. Interference in other sovereign nation's affairs, and destabilization of...

In the name of all victims who have suffered, died and currently endure in the struggle for freedom, now is the time to rise and be most vigilant and make your voice be heard.

"Human beings are all members of one body.
They are created from the same essence.
When one member is in pain,
The others cannot rest.
If you do not care about the pain of others,
You do not deserve to be called a human being."
A Quote from Famous Persian Poet Saadi Shirazi
( 13th century Persian poet, from Shiraz the birthplace of Ms. Zahra Kazemi)

"To sin by silence, when we should protest, Makes cowards out of men." Ella Wheeler Wilcox (November 5, 1850 -- October 30, 1919)

To become more familiar with ActivistChat FREE Iran Real Cases Virtual Mock Trials please visit http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8234 and if you are freedom-living Lawyers, Prosecutors, Judges, International Law Professors , Law Students who wish to contribute your time by becoming the active members of the Activistchat FREE Iran Real Cases Virtual Mock Trials for defending Iranian youth cases against Islamofascists Terror/Torture masters over Internet ... or if you are one of million IslamoFascist Terror Victims who might wish to present your case or family case please contact us by Email To activistchat@yhoo.com , activistchat@gmail.com and cc: forum@activistchat.com

Despite the fact that I respect what Marze Por Gohar Party, and others .... are trying to do, however what you suggest with limited resources of each group may take years to achieve which we don't have.
As an Free Iran Activist like many other Iranian-Americans are not planning to join any Iranian or American political parties in near future. ActivistChat as small Forum is supporting other political parties and individuals idea issue by issue on case by case basis base on the following guideline:

cyrus wrote:

ActivistChat 2006 Guideline Framework

1. Cyrus the Great (585-529 BC), is the founding father of Persia. ActivistChat members admire Cyrus The Great as the greatest liberator of all time for defining the First Declaration of Human Rights over 2500 years ago and the humane treatment of vast empire he ruled. Professor Richard Frye of Harvard University said; "Surely the concept of One World, the fusion of Peoples and Cultures into oneness was one of his important legacies".

2. Ferdowsi is the father of Iranian Renaissance, neo-Iranian cultural awareness, and the Shahnameh is credited with the revival of Iranian identity.

3. The "War on Terror" which is a subset of "War on Taazi" UNWINNABLE and the world peace can not be achieved as long as the Unelected Taazi Islamists Terror and Torture Masters are in power in Iran. The TAAZI terror state and fear society can not create peace and stability.
To avoid War or Nuclear war or another disaster like Chernobyl nuclear disaster 20 years ago , ( Animation of Nuclear Bunker Buster: Destructive impact on civilian population in Iran and beyond )
our message to Iranian people inside Iran: General Strike Now, our message to Security Forces (Police, Pasdaran and Military) must act now for regime change and replacing it with Free society and Secular Democracy. The Iranian people have already spoken by boycotting Elections. The Armed forces must choose between defending and serving the people or serving Mullahs. This is up to armed and security forces to choose between SHAME and HONOR, serving Mullahs or their Sisters, Brothers, Fathers & Mothers who pay their salary.
To avoid war Iranian people of all ages do not have any choice other than be prepared to fight to free their homeland from Viruses of Iranian society whether the armed forces serve them or serve the enemy of freedom and free society. Iranian people should be prepared for final battle for freeing their homeland from TAAZI and must not forget that their FOREVER leader Cyrus the Great died in battlefield in 530 BC at the age of 60 and not in bed.

4. Iranian people can decide about Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Research and Atomic Bomb after the regime change when they have established stable secular democracy and FREE society until then Iran should avoid any kind of Nuclear research program, resulting to acquire Atomic Bomb, under Islamist Taazi occupation and control.

5. Territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iran.

6. Complete separation of religion from the State.

7. Acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

8. Free, open and democratic referendum to elect the type of the new Government of Iran in the post-IRI era.

9. Minimum standard of living for all citizens of Iran and equal opportunity for all citizens to benefit from country's national wealth.

10. Work within high standard of code of ethics not to fight with other political groups or fellow FREE Iran Activists unless they are violating one of the key principles or moving against the concept of Free Society and secular democracy.

11. We are Free Iran Activists and Watch Group monitoring high government officials, Journalists , writers and scholars words and their actions based on the following direction from James Madison:
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men! over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions. "
The Federalist No. 51 (James Madison).

12. Support and promote people, groups and leadership who are making positive contributions for Human Rights, Regime Change in Iran, Free
Iran, Free Society and Secular democracy from progressive Center, Right and Left.

We thank all compatriots and organizations who contributed for defining part of above Guideline Framework for Human Rights, Regime Change in Iran, Free Iran, Free Society and Secular Democracy .

Is Marze Por Gohar Party agree with above or not?
Please review the above and if you don't agree with any item please make a suggestion or enhance it.

espandyar wrote:

"What yu have stated in regrds to iranian congress is vey good idea and in theori that is what people whoudl do.
But this is notthe first sugestion of this kind and there have been many such suggestions from known and unknown people. Yet we have no where near the idea.
Why?
Again this goes back to lack of strong organizations!
In order to coe together and talk about congress or council or..
yo need to a few huge and strong organizations wich actually have working structure with at least a few years of experience.
If we dont have such organizations people who want to creat huge congress or comittee will never get anywehre as they have to start from scrach with very broad opinions and ideas and at the end this will lead to a dead end. This has been the case so far.

But now imagine if we had all of these activist under roofs of organizations. That would make the world listen to us and we could sit at table and agree among ourselfs as well.

We have discussed this many times in our party and we have decided to open the door for those who have a track reckord. We hope that everyone can take do a their share of work. I have no doubt in my mind that everyone would bennefit from such event and a some kind congress would be more realistic.

.

With the limited resources and issues mentioned before and post it below again if you and others can do it within short period of time is great and you have my support.
Please be realistic.
"Based on today reality that less than one-half of one percent of all Americans made a political contribution of $200 or more to a federal candidate in 2004, when the average cost of winning a seat in the House of Representatives has topped $1 million. How can we expect the Iranian American community pay for freeing their homeland if we consider one-half of one percent as a today rate in US then in case of Iranian American community with complex problems and adding fear factor to it their contributions will be far less."

espandyar wrote:

"
ps. Forget about US or anyone else helping us but we can do major changes with our own resources.
.

Activists are not waiting for others to wake up from Coma, we will try our best with limited resources to be able to look at ourselves in the mirror.

In order to create unity of Vision if you have time please look at the following and answer one by one whether it is true or not or please enhance it or educate us.

Cyrus wrote:

FREE Iran Today Issues

Freeing Iran has become much tougher than old USSR, Lebanon, Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgystan for Iranian people. Iranian people as a hostage to evil Mullahs, Neo Colonialist power Russia, China, and EU3 are facing the following difficulties:
1) These countries (USSR, Lebanon, Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgystan ...) could not bribe G8 governments with stolen Oil/Gas money, attractive financial contracts and cheap Oil.
2) The ruling class Clerical Mafia Islamist in Iran are very corrupt and they do anything to stay in power, they don't have any principle and ethics .
3) These countries were not using terrorism both internally and externally for creating fear throughout the world (Lebanon is latest example).
4) The ruling class Clerical Mafia Islamist are giving the key positions to people that their hands are dirty with blood and terrorism so they stay faithful to the regime , ruling class Mafia and these thugs have no way out . The profile of their new President Select is good indication how they are operating.
5) In USSR they did not have political freedom but they had personal social freedom (Dancing drinking, dress code .....)
6) Distributing Drug to destroy youth for controlling the society (using past Colonial British Evil Model in China, Iran and India).
7) Tough battle and not much real support from free world (G so far.
In past 27 years China, Rusia and EU3 were helping the Islamist regime Terror network, who was really helping Iranian people for FREE Society ...?
9) As an example of 400 terror outside Iran in France on 6th August, 1991 Prime Minister Dr. Shapur Bakhtiar was murdered by the agents of the Islamic Republic Mafia with knife in his Paris home.The killer arrested and released by French government for good Oil cntract. As a firm opponent of all totalitarian rule, he volunteered for service with the French Resistance and served in the "Orlean" battalion in WWII. France as a good example of G8 countries sold his hero and soul to cheap oil and contracts from Islamic Mafia.
10) As everyone aware, there is not any better case than Ms. Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian photojournalist. What G8/UN has done for this case in past 2 years?.
11) Human Rights and Women Rights abuses in Iran have been correctly documented by US State Dept.
12) UN Human Rights / Women Rights and UN leadership are not responsive and the UN has become irrelevent.

Iranian American community Weakness and Facts:

Over a year ago one of the American Scholar in Washington stated in the conference that if Iranian American community would have helped Iranian freedom movement financially the way Jews support Israel then regime would have been changed long time ago and don't expect US government support and help. Despite the fact that there are truth in this statement we should consider the following obstacles and facts:

1) President Bush Admin is the first American administration in past 27 years that publicly separated Iranian people from Islamist regime, therefore many Iranian American were under fear of getting involved in politics even in US. It is not easy to survive when a small group of minority are fighting terror while free world appeasing Mullahs ....
2) Jews have religious institution to gather for helping one another, majority of Iranian American community don't have any religion (agnostic) and with past 27 years experience with Islam they are running away from any religion, specially mosque and any kind of Islam . It is much easier to collect money in the name of god , religion and selling key to heaven than to collect money for FREE Society, secular democracy and what no one can guarantee.
3) In past 27 years the Iranian culture has been attacked by Islamist regime viciously. In the Islamist cultural attack and war of ideas the Iranian community won and the regime has lost very badly despite the fact that were alone in their fight . Iranian oppositions, writers ... should be credited for over 80% support for US among public in Iran. The 80% support for US in Iran is unmatched by any other country in the world.
4) Iranian American are new immigrant the Jews have been in US for a long time .
5) Iranian American community had many difficulties to get Visa for US and other Free World countries.
6) The US government has not stopped the regime spending over 100 million dollars in US soil against freedom-loving Iranian American community....
7) In past 27 years due to over 400 terrors outside Iran by the Islamist regime agents, they have created such a fear that the majority of Iranian American are afraid of helping to FREE Iran and also getting involved in the complex Iranian politics.
Based on today reality that less than one-half of one percent of all Americans made a political contribution of $200 or more to a federal candidate in 2004, when the average cost of winning a seat in the House of Representatives has topped $1 million. How can we expect the Iranian American community pay for freeing their homeland if we consider one-half of one percent as a today rate in US then in case of Iranian American community with complex problems and adding fear factor to it their contributions will be far less.
Solution To Problem
The Iranian American Solidarity Congress For Freeing Iran and leadership election is the possible solution and key to many concerns by Iranian-American community and U.S. officials. Due to the fact that over million Iranians are scattered in U.S. therefore it is difficult task and a big help if the U.S government directly and openly provide resources to setup a fair election among the Iranian American Candidates who believe in the principles defined below and wish to work full time for freeing their homeland. Such an election might cost many millions of dollars considering high advertising cost in U.S. Media.

Suggestion:The constituents of the Iranian American Solidarity Congress and Leadership outside Iran in USA will be all those organizations and individuals who believe in the following 10 general Articles:
1. Cyrus the Great (585-529 BC), is the founding father of Persia. ActivistChat members admire Cyrus The Great as the greatest liberator of all time for defining the First Declaration of Human Rights over 2500 years ago and the humane treatment of vast empire he ruled. Professor Richard Frye of Harvard University said; "Surely the concept of One World, the fusion of Peoples and Cultures into oneness was one of his important legacies".

2. Ferdowsi is the father of Iranian Renaissance, neo-Iranian cultural awareness, and the Shahnameh is credited with the revival of Iranian identity.

3. The "War on Terror" which is a subset of "War on Taazi" UNWINNABLE and the world peace can not be achieved as long as the Unelected Taazi Islamists Terror and Torture Masters are in power in Iran. The TAAZI terror state and fear society can not create peace and stability.

4. Iranian people can decide about Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Research and Atomic Bomb after the regime change when they have established stable secular democracy and FREE society until then Iran should avoid any kind of Nuclear research program, resulting to acquire Atomic Bomb, under Islamist Taazi occupation and control.

5. Territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iran.

6. Complete separation of religion from the State.

7. Acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

8. Free, open and democratic referendum to elect the type of the new Government of Iran in the post-IRI era.

9. Minimum standard of living for all citizens of Iran and equal opportunity for all citizens to benefit from country's national wealth.
10. Past Islamist regime members can not become candidate for election.
The item 1 and 2 above are conforming with President Bush Speech to United States Merchant Marine Academy (June 19, 2006)
"I've a message for the Iranian people: The United States respects you and your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and your many contributions to civilization. When Cyrus the Great led the Iranian people more than 2,500 years ago, he delivered one of the world's first declarations of individual rights, including the right to worship God in freedom. Through the centuries, Iranians have achieved distinction in medicine and science and poetry and philosophy, and countless other fields."
The item 3 and 4 above are conforming with US policy towards Iran.
In reponse to those official who might wish to appease Mullahs, according to President Bush the Iranian people are hostage of small clerical elite therefore US government can not recognize the regime as government of Iran and US can use any means to liberate Iranian people.
“The same is true of Iran, a nation now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people. The regime in that country sponsors terrorists in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon -- and that must come to an end. The Iranian government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions -- and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons. America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats. And tonight, let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran: America respects you, and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom. And our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran.”

"Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe, because in the long run stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty," President Bush said.
Source URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060131-10.html
After an election the U.S. should consider to allocate and provide funds or release part of the frozen Iranian assets to the elected Iranian American Solidarity Congress for regime change in Iran and pay salary to these elected Iranians or Americans by over million Iranian American community who should be working full time in Washington to provide support for Freeing their homeland.

ActivistChat is writing or supporting politically incorrect Petitions to document truth ... and we don't intend to be pratical and we are very demanding for good reasons ....

To: International Criminal Court (ICC), Human Rights Watch Geneva, Reporters Without Borders, U.S. President, U.S. Congress, Heads of Free World’s States, the European Parliament, and The International Law Professors, Judges, Lawyers, Prosecutors and Freedom-Loving Activists (Left, Center, and Right)

The ethics of life are the pursuit of awareness about truth for ourselves and others. The ultimate goal is total awareness by increasing public awareness about the truth .

FREE Iran Real Cases Mock Trials declares Khatami, Khameni, Rafsanjani, Amadinejad ... as Islamic Fascists leadership and Occupiers of Iran who are considered as guilty for Crimes Against Humanity according to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and established International Law. They have created Fear Society, Terror and have taken 70 million Iranians as their hostages.

Due to extensive nature of Islamic Fascists leadership crimes against humanity in Iran and outside, therefore we examine Mullah Khatami criminal case record as an example of so called more moderate Islamic Fascist leadership element and master of deception to expose tip of iceberg for our fellow freedom-loving people of the world review, and consideration.

Over the past 28 years the Islamic Fascists occupiers of Iran and regime's agents, courts, judges and vigilantes have all committed acts of: International terrorism, mass execution of political prisoners, murder, stoning, torture, assault, theft, destruction of property, arson, perjury, falsification of testimonials and material evidence, illegal surveillance, kidnapping, rape, blackmail, fraud, obstruction of justice, creating fear society, conspiracy, cover-ups and every other form of butchery and depredation.

Top Iranian scholar Dr. Assad Homayoun regarding Khatami Era :
“It is universally known that the former President has declared himself a proponent of “dialogue between civilizations”. But it is not commonly known that in a number of speeches and pronouncements he has consistently characterized Israel as “a cancer on the body of nations”, and on numerous occasions when officiating at Friday prayers in Tehran, he has led the congregation with slogans of death to the Great Satan.
As the President of the Islamic Republic, by all documented accounts, his tenure was rife with corruption, brutal suppression, illegal incarceration, torture and murder of students and other dissidents, murder of prominent members of the opposition both inside Iran and abroad, continued plunder of national wealth, rampant increase in drug use by the youth, and prostitution becoming a thriving export industry. But of course, there were some achievements as well: The secret development of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the development of short and medium range missile systems in Iran, and the financing of international terrorist organizations.”
Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29534#29534

Freedom-loving Iranian-American Activist Writer and Poet Mr. Amil Imani:
“More importantly, Khatami is a genocidal criminal who should be tried in a court of law, rather than being received as a high-ranking dignitary. Here is a partial indictment.”
Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8238

Freedom-loving Iranian-American Activist Mr. Pooya Dayanim president of IJPAC:
"Mohammad Khatami was the president of Iran between the years of 1997 and 2004. The State Department listed Iran as the number-one state sponsor of terrorism during those years. Among other things, during the Khatami years, Iran refused to hand over to the United States the Iranian intelligence officials who supervised the attack on the Khobar towers that killed American soldiers. Khatami continues to support Hezbollah, Hamas, and has called for the destruction of the state of Israel." Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29564#29564

Top Iranian Journalist Mr. Amir Taheri , France's leading foreign-policy journal:
” This may well provide an opportunity for the U.S. media to ask Khatami about the atrocities committed by his administration, including the assassination of dissidents, the arrest and torture of thousands of people, including trade unionists and student leaders, the closing of over 150 newspapers and magazines, the banning of hundreds of books and dozens of films, the arming of the Hezbollah in Lebanon, shipping weapons to Yasser Arafat’s terror units and Islamic Jihad, and providing the Jaish al-Mahdi in Iraq with money and arms.
Let us not forget that it was during Khatami's administration that the Islamic Republic speeded up its nuclear program to acquire the so-called “surge capacity” needed for manufacturing atomic warheads.
Khatami would also have to explain whether or not he still regards Hassan Nasrallah, leader of he Lebanese branch of Hezbollah, as “The Sun of Islam shining over the world,” as he put it in a message on July 15”.
http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29564#29564

Statement from Senator Brownback:
”Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984, and under Khatami's watch, Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terror. In addition, President Khatami led a government responsible for numerous human rights violations. His government brutally cracked down on Iranians who called for political reforms and engaged in repeated and systematic persecution of religious minorities. He should not be allowed to become the highest ranking Iranian official to visit the United States since the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. " Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29561#29561

Statement from Senator George Allen:
" Khatami’s visa was granted three days after his application when ordinary Iranians are required to wait months for their visas to be approved and when Iranians who have been granted visas have reportedly been detained upon their arrival in the United States and forced to leave our country. " Source: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29562#29562

Statement from Dr. Michael Ledeen is resident scholar in the Freedom Chair at the American Enterprise Institute :
"Khatami is very much a member of the clerical fascist regime. He was the empty vessel into which the Iranian people poured their dreams of freedom when they elected him; now he couldn’t win an election for dog catcher. He presided over brutal repression, including the grisly murders of the Forouhars in 1978 and the mass murders and arrests of student demonstrators a year later."
Statement from Ms. Anne Bayefsky is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and at Touro College Law Center.
"The U.S. visa to former Iranian President Khatami - who wasn’t exactly AWOL during the buildup of Iran’s nuclear program - is not an isolated event. As the pattern of all talk and no action takes hold, this move too will undercut any demand to the international community for immediate, serious sanctions on Iran. If we aren’t prepared to isolate Iran, why should anyone else?"
Statement from Mr. Gary Metz is editor of Regime Change Iran :
" He should be arrested."
Statement from Laurent Murawiec is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute :
"Judgments regarding Iran must be based on the nature of its regime, from Khomeini to today’s Guide Khamenei and Ahmadinejad: the regime of the Islamic Revolution is apocalyptic, millenarian, eschatological. It wishes for the apocalypse that will bring forward the coming of the Mahdi, who will in turn win the great battle with Satan that will extend Allah’s writ to the entire earth. It devoutly believes that the nuclear Holocaust where Israel would perish would hugely advance the timetable of reappearance of the Twelfth Iman, the Mahdi."
Source URL for all the above from NRO Symposium:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzhmNTQ0NDQ3MmIxZDlmZWVlNmViMzE0YjkzMTNiYmM

The Rev. Canon Keith Roderick, D.D.:
”In 1984, Khatami declared that Iran was at war with the United States . During his administration Hezbollah was born and he continues to support it. The Anglican Church in Iran was decimated during his presidency. During the last year of his presidency legislation was introduced into the Iranian parliament to adopt a strict Islamic dress code, which not only reversed the progress of individual _expression, but also was designed to segregate Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians by assigning colors that they must wear, reminiscent to the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear under the Nazi regime in Germany. Iranian activists and youth recognize that the “Smiling Mullah” has an appeal to the West, but it is only a façade that veils the insidious failure to bring about authentic change during his presidency.”
http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29619#29619

Statement from JCRC :
" His earlier behavior was not any better. As a member of the council under Ayatollah Khomeini, Khatami did nothing to prevent or protest the murder of 3,000 political prisoners in a single week in 1998. In charge of censorship for a decade in Iran, he banned over 600 books and he stated in the Iran daily Keyhan in 1980 that only clergy should serve in government."
For furthure details regarding the above Real Cases Mock Trial please visit the following URL: http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=29569#29569

WE, the undersigned, as members of the civilized world, call urgently on the free world to set up a committee to investigate the involvement of the clerical regime in crimes of conspiracy to commit genocide and crimes against humanity according to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and established International Law.

We, the Undersigned, therefore demand based on over 28 years evidence:
- That world governments declare the Islamic Clerical Regime of Iran as illegitimate and unfit to govern and expel from UN and all International Institutions.
- That all high ranking regime officials be investigated and prosecuted by respected International Courts for genocide and many other crimes against humanity.
- Mullah Khatami, Khameni, Rafsanjani, Amadinejad ... as Islamic Fascists, Terrorists and International criminals. They must be arrested outside Iran on basis of the following facts:
1- Human Rights Violation, Women Rights Violation, and Stoning Women.
2- Using religion as a tool against the majority who demand for Free Society and Secular Democracy.
3- Threat to global peace and security.
4. Support for Terrorism.
5. Interference in other sovereign nation's affairs, and destabilization of...

In the name of all victims who have suffered, died and currently endure in the struggle for freedom, now is the time to rise and be most vigilant and make your voice be heard.

"Human beings are all members of one body.
They are created from the same essence.
When one member is in pain,
The others cannot rest.
If you do not care about the pain of others,
You do not deserve to be called a human being."
A Quote from Famous Persian Poet Saadi Shirazi
( 13th century Persian poet, from Shiraz the birthplace of Ms. Zahra Kazemi)

"To sin by silence, when we should protest, Makes cowards out of men." Ella Wheeler Wilcox (November 5, 1850 -- October 30, 1919)

To become more familiar with ActivistChat FREE Iran Real Cases Virtual Mock Trials please visit http://activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8234 and if you are freedom-living Lawyers, Prosecutors, Judges, International Law Professors , Law Students who wish to contribute your time by becoming the active members of the Activistchat FREE Iran Real Cases Virtual Mock Trials for defending Iranian youth cases against Islamofascists Terror/Torture masters over Internet ... or if you are one of million IslamoFascist Terror Victims who might wish to present your case or family case please contact us by Email To activistchat@yhoo.com , activistchat@gmail.com and cc: forum@activistchat.com

we all agree on the same principles.
My point is that until the day we dont comitt ourslefs to a organization and organize the IR will be in charge.

Those who choose to dedicate themselfs to the struggle within a organization are much more willing to sacrifice and contribute more as they see result take palce.

It is as simple as that unless we dont have strong huge organizations everything we do dont have the same effect as it should.IR will be in charge and we are not going to be able to form any congress as have not been able to do so far.

I have read Eli Lake's news item on it, as well as being aware of Ganji's and RP's not attending, and reasons.

I would like the three of you to give me your read on that meeting, if you can.

Ba Sepaas,

-Oppie

Well, Iam personally pro dialog while standig on your ground for values and goals. However when a seperatist individualls are invted to the so called Iranian meeting the meeting is no longer valid and should be disregarded. We do not compromise on our national interest.
regards_________________Marze Por Gohar Party
Iranians for a Secuar Republic
ttp://www.marzeporgohar.org/

I have read Eli Lake's news item on it, as well as being aware of Ganji's and RP's not attending, and reasons.

I would like the three of you to give me your read on that meeting, if you can.

Ba Sepaas,

-Oppie

Well, Iam personally pro dialog while standig on your ground for values and goals. However when a seperatist individualls are invted to the so called Iranian meeting the meeting is no longer valid and should be disregarded. We do not compromise on our national interest.
regards

Dear Oppie,
Agree with Espandyar. Good concept bad implementation. Too little and too late. Dialog is good idea as long as they can do it right. It seems to me Bush Admin has problem with Secular Free Iran movements.
Regards,
Cyrus

Right, I do understand the issue ....however the US policy is one of an Iran, whole, free, and at peace ultimately...and has many times stood for the territorial integrity of Iran.
One (US or Iranian) may meet with "separatists" to convince them US policy will not support their agenda.....IE. move their mindset to a more productive path. Not that it would perhaps, but maybe it was the Onus for the US to meet with them...to put them strait on it.

OK, but beyond you all saying the meeting can be "diregarded" which I'm not sure I can agree with until I know what transpired during it, and what other views were expressed.....

....If I understand correctly, a fair cross-section of folks attended besided those "separatists" mentioned . Sargarza was not there, Ganji was not, nor RP...and not the MEK either obviously...

So who attended? And what was their gist of the meeting....or how can I find out from them directly?

I know a few constitutional monarchist folks were there...but not who..

democratic groups??? Republican???

MGP attended???

SOS???

See, because until I talk with those that were there directly to get their take....I can't exactly ream the Dept of State a new a-hole for screwing up the "Forum of the Future" proposal.....beyond recognition.

Since there have been additional opposition contacts both with the whitehouse and Blair (and Blair's meet wasn't w/ MEK or they'd be crowing about it no end...)

I have to think some positive value was established for doing so intitally, but what exactly is still a mystery.

You know...I don't have much of a talent for languages....I tend to mangle my own native tounge quite well at times...thoughtfully so to be sure...but mangled on occasion....and pehaps more than occasionally.....LOOL!

But I try to get by....and the few words of Farsi I do know tend to open doors....dorood, ba sepaas, Azadi...azadi norooz (as a concept)...

Some might say that's all the Farsi I need to understand to understand Irania....

Thanks for the link, I will send Parvin an email, and get his thoughts on things.

I do respect your opinion E, and so much so, that (if you recall our conversation regarding "regime change" vs. "behavior change") that I forwarded your thoughts on ..."what you see is what you get" etc. to the Iran desk....as I thought what you said spoke for many concerned.

Been around a bit, so I know all the acusations of "hidden agenda" of the US, UK, Russia, China...all the individual opposition groups ...blame game with each other ad infinitum....and to me, understanding the fiercely independant mindset of Iranians, and especially those in the opposition, I think Ramin Ektebar summed the results up best when he said to me..."Too many chiefs...not enough indians."

Aye well, so it is...perhaps the human condition to mistrust....but a tempest in a teapot for all the energy expended and no gain to show....for until this is set aside for the common good and a public common stand for "regime change today, then tommorow we can bicker about the future."....chuckle...if that could be a common agreement as such....then progress....not just process....has been implemented as policy goal..

Were it I who was representing the US in a meeting of minds....I'd have one simple thing to tell separatists...non negotiable....that to be included in the democratic process, "don't get stuck on stupid".

Why does every state in the union here in America have its own flag and state constitution?.....a constitution that reflects the federal, and original constitution of the United States. The US flag is always flown above the state flag, as the individual states are part of the union, not above it.

Then, perhaps American logic and a way forward proposed long ago by Cyrus the Great to "save face" and keep one's identity (if that is what separatists wish most) and still be Iran , whole, terriritorialy non divisable, and at peace under a federal system of representitive democratic values....regardless if it is called a constitutional monarchy, democracy or republic....

See I believe it is not being under "one roof" so to speak, that will make an effective opposition, for there is strength in diversity....it is more important to be under one understanding behind an idea...and act together on it, without the mundane and petty getting in the way, muddying the flow of freedom's tide.

I understand the independant mindset....my thoughts can't be bought or sold, I am beholden to no paycheck, and if that guarrantees me to be ambassador without two nickles to rub together...or "portfolio", then at least no one can say I have a "hidden agenda"...LOOL!

You got it, after the regime change the dinner and the rest is on me and we wil put politics aside and have some fun! Maybe I can take you to nothern Iran and enjoy the caspian sea!

But until then my friend we have have to wait a long time, unfortunatly Bush and his people are not smart enough for their own good!

I was just reading an article where Bush Personally Signed Off On Khatami Visit to see what he has to say!!!!!!
I wonder what Mr. Bush did while Khatami was in office.

Unfortunatly oppie jan I think the chances that we have our time in Tehran is a optimistic view unless the IR regime goes democratic or that Bush gets his act together, the chances fo those to happen is none!

Perheps when Mr.Bush is gone and the next admin officially accepted IR as a nuclear power we can meet in Europe or US to talk about our noble dreams!

GOVERNOR ROMNEY'S position to deny the former Iranian president security during his Boston visit is not only hypocritical but foolish, and in the long run it hurts American security (``Romney bars state security for Iranian's Harvard visit," Page A1, Sept. 6). Doubtless trying to build points for his expected 2008 presidential run, Romney freely labels Mohammed Khatami a ``terrorist" with the reckless abandon that the Bush administration uses for anyone it doesn't like.

If Khatami is a terrorist for running a country that funds groups such as Hezbollah, was President Reagan a terrorist for leading the United States when it funded Al Qaeda in a fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan ? If Khatami deserves cold treatment for his crackdown on student protesters, why are Chinese premiers always welcomed here with red-carpet treatment? These double standards rob from us whatever moral legitimacy we still retain.

Further, by snubbing former heads of state , we send the message that we are not interested in diplomacy, which leaves only violence as an alternative. This does not make our country safer.

ROMNEY'S COMMENTS about Khatami's visit to Massachusetts were entirely apt. It was outrageously offensive of the US State Department to extend an invitation to such a criminal against humanity. Apparently Foggy Bottom's appeasement of archaic religious zealots, while wronging a distinct majority of Iranians fighting for a secular and peaceful Iran , is its trendy version of democracy.

The mullahs are like drunk drivers; after a couple of offenses that led to killing innocent people, they should have been put away for breaking the social contract.

If the European Union, Russia, and the Chinese are really concerned about the mullahs' nuclear threat, they should stop turbo-grabbing Iranian natural resources that belong to the hungry people of Iran; they should get their corporations to divest from making further deals with the terrorism-financing mullahs; and they should simply give the tireless, brave Iranians, who since 1979 have never stopped fighting the mullahs (despite the western media's refusal to report any of it), the chance to do the rest.

BANAFSHEH ZAND-BONAZZI
Brooklyn
The writer, an Iranian activist, is the daughter of Iranian journalist and political prisoner Siamak Pourzand.
_______________________________________________

OUR COUNTRY has just been through nearly two terms of this kind of myopic, knee-jerk stuff. Would a President Romney give us more of the same? We don't need more ignorance in our discourse with the world. This moment in our history calls for subtlety and discrimination. No one's proposing the pomp of a state visit for Khatami. However, Mitt might have been better off to keep quiet, and listen and learn.

PAUL GASEK
Brewster

HARVARD SHOULD not be inviting representatives of countries that have held Americans hostage and have vowed to destroy us to speak at any forum. This elitist disregard for the feelings of Americans is what passes as enlightenment in some circles. I am thrilled to see a rational adult response to such an insult. Thank you, Governor Romney, for sparing taxpayers the affront of paying for this outrageous stupidity. Maybe Khatami can take the bus.

RON BOGAN
Danvers

ONE OF the founding principles of a free society is the concept that the open exchange of ideas is beneficial to the body politic. In answer to Jeff Jacoby's indignation (op-ed, Sept. 6) over the State Department's allowing the speaking tour of former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami: We do not grant him license to speak in this country to demonstrate our democratic values to Iran, but rather to affirm our own enlightenment.

Khatami presents a point of view. He will not find an overly receptive audience in the United States , and we can choose to oppose those who agree with him in the battlefield of ideas. It is this privilege, not our fear of his message, that truly differentiates us.

ANDY ROSEN FE LD
Ashland

AS AN invited lecturer to Iran in June 2001 (and again in July 2004), I had the good fortune to meet many young Iranians, mostly university students in Tehran . Some later came to the United States to pursue graduate programs at MIT, Stanford, and other universities. Most stayed in Iran . They were like students everywhere -- energetic, intelligent, optimistic, and future-directed. They sensed positive change in their country -- toward more freedoms and better relations with the West.

In the days after Sept. 11, I received heartwarming condolence e-mails from newly found friends in Iran . In Tehran , there were candlelight vigils showing solidarity with us in our time of immense grief. In thinking about Iran or any country that is associated with international tensions, we must not think only of stereotypes or simplistic caricatures. Iran is just as diverse as we are.

The best hope for Iran 's future is from within, building upon the optimism and energy of the young people whose recently found limited freedoms are now being eroded. Shutting off dialogue to all Iranians because of the outrageous actions of the current regime seems shortsighted and self-defeating.

RICHARD C. LARSON
Cambridge The writer is a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.